regulator

American  

[reg-yuh-ley-ter] / ˈrɛg jəˌleɪ tər /

noun

• regulators
  plural

1. a person or thing that regulates.

2. Horology.

   1. an adjustable device in a clock or a watch for making it go faster or slower.

   2. a master clock, usually of great accuracy, against which other clocks are checked.

3. Machinery.

   1. a governor mechanism for regulating the flow of fuel, steam, etc., to an engine in order to maintain constant speed under varying load or resistance.

   2. a valve for regulating the pressure of flowing gas or liquid to maintain a predetermined pressure.

   3. any of various mechanisms for maintaining a temperature, a level of liquid in a tank, etc.

4. Electricity. a device for maintaining a designated characteristic, as voltage or current, at a predetermined value, or for varying it according to a predetermined plan.

5. a device on scuba equipment for regulating the rate at which compressed air is fed through a breathing tube in proportion to the depth of water.

6. a device for maintaining a constant gas pressure.

7. (initial capital letter)

   1. a member of any of several bands or committees in North Carolina (1767–71), formed to resist certain abuses, as extortion by officials.

   2. (in newly settled areas) a member of any band or committee organized to preserve order before the establishment of regular legal authority.

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regulator British  

/ ˈrɛɡjʊˌleɪtə /

noun

1. a person or thing that regulates

2. the mechanism, including the hairspring and the balance wheel, by which the speed of a timepiece is regulated

3. a timepiece, known to be accurate, by which others are timed and regulated

4. any of various mechanisms or devices, such as a governor valve, for controlling fluid flow, pressure, temperature, voltage, etc

5. Also called: regulator gene.  a gene the product of which controls the synthesis of a product from another gene

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• regulators
  plural

Etymology

Origin of regulator

First recorded in 1645–55; regulate + -or ²

Explanation

A regulator is a device that maintains a certain state in a system or machine. Scuba divers use a special diving regulator that keeps the gas pressure steady so they can breathe while underwater. The job of a regulator is to regulate, or control. In a mechanical sense, this means keeping things like power, pressure, speed, or temperature at a steady, regular level. If a person has the job title of regulator, they’re a government official who’s responsible for upholding standards (or regulations) meant to protect the public. A regulator might inspect food, for example, to make sure it’s safe to eat. The Latin root, regula, means "rule."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

regulator regulators

The approval from the ORR only covers the track from London St Pancras to the Channel Tunnel at Dover and the regulator said Virgin still needed to secure access to rail networks in mainland Europe.

From BBC ● Aug. 17, 2026

They also celebrated recently when Southern California Gas Co. shelved long-held plans for a hydrogen pipeline system after an unfavorable ruling from the state’s utility regulator.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 17, 2026

British group Virgin has been granted track access to run new cross-Channel train services from 2030, the country's rail regulator said Monday, bringing it closer to launching a rival service to Eurostar.

From Barron's ● Aug. 17, 2026

Virgin's plans to run rail services between London and Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam have moved closer after it was granted track access by the UK regulator.

From BBC ● Aug. 17, 2026

Of course, if the atmospheric regulator or oxygenator have problems, I'll need to cut into the bedroom to get to them.

From "The Martian" by Andy Weir

In the case of insurers, which hold premium dollars from policyholders for future claims payouts, regulators want to ensure the money is there when it’s needed.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 16, 2026

Investigations by regulators and prosecutors are continuing, and banks are awaiting findings.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026

Prediction markets are facing scrutiny from state and federal regulators, including continuing litigation in more than a dozen states over whether they should be regulated as gambling entities.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026

Scientists already knew that TBX5 is one of the major regulators of heart development.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 13, 2026

As darkness enveloped the camp, our guides handed out oxygen canisters, regulators, and masks to everyone: for the remainder of the climb we would be breathing compressed gas.

From "Into Thin Air" by Jon Krakauer

Related Words

• manager